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Obituary. MR. NICHOLAS G. SAUNDERS. The passing of Mr. Nicholas Geo. Saunders, at the Hamilton and Dis- trict base hospital, at which institu- tion he had been an inmate for about ten days, removes one of the most prominent and public-spirited men from the community life of the Con- dah district. Mr. Nicholas Saun- ders was the eldest son of the late Mr. Nicholas Saunders, who arrived at Portland over seventy years ago. He was also the grandson of the late Mr. John Tytherleigh, sen., another of the earliest arrivals, and whose descendants are well-known and respected residents of the West- ern District. Both Mr. Saunders, sen., and Mr. Tytherleigh, sen., were skilled tradesmen, and conducted at one time an extensive and lucrative blacksmithing business at Portland Mr. Saunders, sen., being, in addi- tion, a farrier. They were of the band of qualified British tradesmen who could produce their indentures to the various trades, and whose presence proved such a valuable as- set in the early stages of the devel- opment of this country. The sub- ject of this notice was born at Port- land in 1863, but a few years later the family removed to Heywood, and still later to Branxholme, finally settling at Myamyn in the early seventies, where Mr. Saunders' mo- ther died, and the family of boys had to be reared without the foster- ing maternal care. Mr. Saunders followed the trade of his father, fin- ishing his technical knowledge by a few years' work at the Horsham foundry, where he became an expert tradesman. Returning to Myamyn he became associated with his father in business, and from that point his public career commenced. The Russian scare of 1885 was the prim- ary cause of a visit to the district by Lieutenant-Colonel (afterwards Colonel) Tom Price, and the enlist- ment of many young men in the Vic- torian Mounted Rifles, the elder men falling into the rifle clubs' ranks. Mr. Saunders was one of those who joined up at Myamyn and was an ac- tive and valued member He was also a playing member of the Mya- myn Brass Band, and took an act- ive part in every movement for the advancement of the township. The reclamation of Condah Swamp in the early nineties caused the centre of gravity to be altered as regards the movement of population, and Mr. Saunders took up his residence at Condah, where he established the business that is still being carried on under the guidance of his son Harry (a returned soldier). Mr. Saunders became the first hon. secretary of the Condah Pastoral and Agricul- tural Society, a position he held with masked ability in the initial stages. During the war period, he was an active worker, and every effort, to ameliorate the conditions of living for the returned soldiers had his act- ive support and sympathy. In fact, in every department of life's activi- ties he was a front ranker. The wit that he inherited from Cornish an- cestors added to a natural bonhomie, made him the centre of a wide circle of friends. He was a friend to ev- eryone, and lived for the good that he could do. Whether in religious, social or political spheres, his vision was clear and his views broad, lib- eral and tolerant. He took a deep interest in St. Thomas' Church of England, and was a vestryman for several years. Mr. Saunders was twice married. Two children, a son and a daughter, of the first marriage, survive him, as do two daughters and three sons of the second marriage, also his widow, to whom he had been united for forty years. The in- terment took place at the Condah cemetery, where a large concourse of district people assembled to pay a last tribute of respect to a loved and respected friend. The Rev. S. Prentice officiated at the graveside. - "Spectator."